How did you decide what type of dog to get?

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That really. We love labs but maybe they're too boisterous for us now. How did you decide what dog would suit you?

A long time ago now but we filled in a questionnaire online. Came out with Lab, Border Terrier and Beagle. So we got a Border Terrier!

Decide how much exercise and grooming you can commit to. How intelligent/obedient/spirited you want them to be. Also how big you can cope with although small dogs are not necessarily easier. Look into breed specific health problems. Then find a breed to match. We went border terrier first time round. He was healthy and lovely if a bit naughty (not very).

Please don’t do for a short nosed breed.

Visited lots of general rescues & contacted breed specific ones. Eventually rehomed a gorgeous Lhasa Apso through the breed rescue.

I went to the discover dogs at crufts after we had narrowed a few breeds down on paper.

We initially narrowed them down to size (not too small but small enough I could carry him home in an emergency), exercise requirements, temperament (could we cope with the breeds negative traits) and training ability.

I just knew that a beagle would be perfect for us, so we did a lot of research into the breed. Then set about trying to find our first which was difficult because not many people had them at the time.
I would never have another breed. Beagle welfare has great information on the breed if anyone was interested.

My son has allergies so we decided on a poodle/ cross. We also wanted something small that could be easily scooped up and carried if needed and also wouldn’t be too intimidating for our children. We’ve got a chipoo!

We knew the things we could offer re exercise, grooming etc.
We also knew what we didn't want re size, barking etc.
We still couldn't decide and was planning of visiting discover dogs when my husband happened by chance to meet another family members dog.
We immediately liked the 'look' of the dog then did lots of research and spoke to breeders. Luckily we had inadvertently found a dog that met almost all out requirements.
Very happy my husband had that chance meeting

I loved all the terrier crosses I met, small but loads of character. These are the small breeds that are not less work than a big breed as mentioned by previous poster...

Lots of exercise, games and cuddles needed.

We did try and rescue but my son was 3 at the time and no one would let us have a rescue so we got a puppy in the end. Best thing we ever did. I truly love terriers!

We always had German shepherds and various rescues in the past but wanted a breed similar that was quieter and less likely to have issues with being nervous or highly strung and also with a lower exersise requirement with having small children who don’t always want to walk for hours.

With some googling we found leonbergers. They were perfect for us so we met some breeders and went from there. Things escalated and we have multiple dogs now

They are the perfect breed for families IMO. Quiet, easy to train, loving, absolutely no aggression or nervous behaviour whatsoever, they would sleep through a bomb going off and would happily walk for hours- or not depending on what we are doing!
The perfect day out for ours are things like wandering around, having a picnic (so they can have a sleep) then wandering back with an ice cream stop thrown in

They are big though

We are first time owners so we went to Discover Dogs at Crufts.
We had a few ideas.. medium sized and I like 'wolfy' faces but no real preference. Met over 200 breeds I think! Discovered Eurasiers and fell in love.
Had to go on a reserve list as there are not many of them, and were very lucky to have our girl less than a year later... she's 18m now and we adore her!

It was really useful to meet lots of breeds and be able to discuss the sort of dog that would suit our family.. although every breeder of course feels that their breed is THE one :)

I fell in love with the breed, small but athletic, trainable but spirited. Generally a breed with good health.

My son has allergies so we decided on a poodle/ cross

Can I ask why you decided on a poodle cross which is far more likely to trigger allergies than a pure poodle? Why not just get the poodle with the known hypoallergenic coat qualities rather than risk bringing another breed in and compromising that?

I have a yorkie. Wanted something small and portable, that would be happy with long or short walks. Easily trainable, and a great little alarm dog .
Also hypoallergenic, doesn’t shed, and I prefer the “hair” coat type rather than the curly poodle, easier to manage.

Basically a low maintenance family friendly dog. Which is what I got :)

We chose one of our dogs to suit our lifestyle. He's a cairn, needs 1-2 half hour walks a day in order to be his best self. He can walk much much further though. He is friendly, loves everyone, doesn't bite (Cairns aren't very "bitey" IME) and is very healthy, Cairns aren't highly bred so don't have many health problems and are long lived.

Compare that to our adopted - by my husband on the spur of the moment without me knowing - French Bulldog who would be more suited to an older couple or single person. Hates walks and is scared of cars thanks to previous (money grabbing breeder) owners. She's has also cost a small fortune in vets bills. That said, she is friendly and the kids and my husband really love her, I get to clean up after her every day so she's not my favourite pet.

We had had Yorkies, a Mongrel and when the kids where small two Lhasas as we found them to be excellent with small children
When the last Lhasa died at 16 we where in a similar position, so we looked here as we felt it was the most accurate
dogtime.com/dog-breeds/dandie-dinmont-terrier
We needed a dog that could be left for a few hours if need be, non shedding, non barking, friendly, trainable, shorter walks but could do more if required, compact but with few ailments.
We had also had seen Dandies on the TV. Finally we met one in the flesh, what a content friendly dog.
So we spoke to three breeders and the rest is history.
www.donthibernate.co.uk/dummys-guide-to-dandie-dinmont-terriers/
The other thing to consider.
The breeder we went to will take any dog back at any age, she also taught us how to groom her we just keep on top of her and have her done twice a year professionally and also has her back for holidays, so think about Grooming, Holidays etc
If you take some time to look at Rare breeds too many are rare as the litter size is small so no money in breeding them
Some are excellent pets some are challenging some are pure workers, but less inbreeding so in general possibly less ailments
www.thekennelclub.org.uk/getting-a-dog/are-you-ready/vulnerable-native-breeds/

Always wanted a herding breed, we were pretty much set on a German Shepherd but saw a litter of border collies, little smaller in size, far healthier breed and considerably cheaper so went for the collie instead.
She’s lovely 😊

I grew up with loads of dogs and loved labradors in particular, but we live in London.

I also grew up with a terrier who was a real character, and has the perfect leg length for London, so that settled it. Had to wait nearly a year to find a puppy but was worth it!

Lots of online quizzes tell you what to get but they told us breeds I'd never consider in a million years!

Smallish
non shedding
non smelly
Friendly sociable and cuddly
miniature schnauzer
N.B. we have had to train him not to bark when he sees other dogs when on lead, apart from that he is perfect 😍

I enjoy getting out and walking for at least an hour and a bit everyday on the woods. My last two were springers so I could do just that. It makes me leave the house and get some exercises. And honestly I loved every morning. Especially in the very cold weather.

I don’t have a dog at the moment as my work schedule doesn’t allow for one. But when is stop working I will be getting a working cocker or a cockerpoo. I need something that has a lot of energy.
I enjoy training and coming up with brain training ideas. So something with loads of energy is what I look for.

Grew up with Jack Russells and loved them. Was determined not to get one because they shed so much but we looked at other breeds and just kept coming back to loving Jack Russells! We were lucky enough to find a local family whose dog had had her first litter and we met both parents. Puppy is now 8 months old and we're besotted. He fits in perfectly with our family

We're thinking of getting a dog. Thanks to the person who mentioned Leonbergers. I'd never heard of them before and they look lovely.

We went to Battersea and said what have you got that’s a puppy or older puppy and ended up with a Patterdale terrier x and he’s been perfect , would definitely get another . On the day we had the choice of him or a staffy pup .

We needed a non-shedding dog so researched those. Realised that the reason everyone was crossing every breed going with a poodle was because poodles are fantastic. Got a mini poodle and will never get another kind of dog.
Intelligent, affectionate, people-focussed. And they don't come out as puppies looking all poofy and ridiculous so they can look however you want.

It was easy. I'd never had dogs and DH had grown up with a long line of working springers and wouldn't consider anything else. He was right, they are perfect for our family.

I have a shirt coated JRT who wasn't actually our very first choice. What I wanted was a small, smooth cared terrier type who suited a lively family with young dc. I'd initially wanted a Boston terrier and had hoped to get one at the start of the summer holidays as I work term time however it seemed like a complete minefield trying to find a responsible breeder with the right timing so when someone I knew had one Jack Russell pup still available who was ready to go just when it became apparent lockdown would mean I'd actually have several months off work rather than 7 weeks it just seemed like it was meant to be. I'm actually glad now as she's a fab little thing, obviously a much hardier breed with fewer potential health problems. She also smells less, she doesn't fart like my friends Boston's 😆

Grew up with Jack Russells and loved them. Was determined not to get one because they shed so much but we looked at other breeds and just kept coming back to loving Jack Russells! We were lucky enough to find a local family whose dog had had her first litter and we met both parents. Puppy is now 8 months old and we're besotted. He fits in perfectly with our family Our little Jack is the same age - she barely sheds and she's a smooth coat. I assume the wire coats would shed less. But yes our little girl has fitted in so perfectly with our lively but sometimes lazy life